ST JAMES’ CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Welcome to the first edition of our school newsletter for this academic year. It really doesn’t seem like we have been back in school for a whole month, however so much has happened in that short time. A number of trips and visits have already taken place, giving our pupils wider opportunities to develop their education. Worthy of particular mention is our Future Frontiers programme. This is being led by Mr Linale, Head of Year 10, and gives a number of pupils in Year 10 the opportunity to work with industry-based mentors who support our young people in shaping a vision for their future. We also have a new cohort of pupils signed up to work with the Girls Network, an initiative that we have run for a number of years and to great success.
In my first letter to you at the start of the year, I highlighted our great success in our A-Level and GCSE results. Our Year 13 results were the best the school has ever achieved, both in our traditional A-Level and also our vocational courses. I can now also report that our GCSE progress is strong and stands at 0.24. This places us in the top bracket of schools for progress and is a great testament to both our pupils and the wonderful teachers who support them with such expertise.
I know the newsletter will highlight so much more of what has happened across the first month of the school year and I know you will be inspired by what you read.
Mr Ellul
Headteacher
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
Music Mark
We are proud to announce that we have been specially selected to be part of the Music Mark schools program. Music Mark is the UK Association for Music Education, championing and supporting access to music for all children and young people.
Music Mark works to support and enable the music education sector to deliver high-quality musical and social outcomes for all children and young people.
Highest Amount of Merits
Well done to this group of Year 7 students for achieving the most merits so far this term.
You have made a great impression on all your teachers. What a wonderful start to the year; keep up the good work!
Summer School
Some of our current Year 7's had an amazing time at our summer school in August.
We had a graduation ceremony at the end of the week to celebrate their effort and participation; the pupils received certificates.
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
Second-Hand Uniform Sale
During the summer break, we arranged a second-hand uniform sale, which raised an amazing £1062 this will be used as a fund to support families in need.
Thank you to all the families who donated uniforms and to Mrs Bunning and Ms Daly who organised the event. They both showed a great example of faith in action.
Wall Murals
The free-hand artwork has been displayed in our science corridors and in our chaplaincy office.
Well done girls for the amazing displays!
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
Winter Season
As we approach the winter season where colds are spreading easily we ask you to send your child to school with tissues and hand sanitiser; and to send them to school unless they really are too unwell to attend.
Please also be reminded of the flu vaccination programme which is running at school, which can protect your child from catching and spreading the flu this winter season.
Punctuality and Attendance
Attendance
There is a strong correlation between good attendance/punctuality and examination success. Nationally, pupils with 96%+ attendance are most likely to achieve grades 5-9 at GCSE. Our school attendance target this academic year is 97%.
Pupils must attend school daily unless there is a valid reason not to attend.
Parents are requested not to arrange family holidays, or medical or dental appointments during term time.
If there is a valid reason that pupils cannot attend school, your parents must inform the school by 8:30 a.m. on the first and each subsequent day of absence.
Parents must provide evidence of medical or dental appointments and be asked to provide medical evidence for more than 3 days of absence.
Did you know you can check daily attendance and punctuality on the Arbor app?
Punctuality
Punctuality is an important part of self-discipline and is essential for time management.
Pupils must be in school by 8:30am.
At 8:30 the school gates will be closed and pupils must enter school through reception. They will be marked late and receive a detention for the same day. Parents will be sent a text message informing them that their child has been late to school.
Repeated late marks may result in your parents being fined. You and your parents may also need to attend a Punctuality Board meeting.
Signing Out
If pupils need to leave the school site during the school day for any reason, parents must inform the school in advance of the date. Parents should also write a note in your planner for you to show your teacher.
Pupils must go to student services to sign out and leave school through reception. If pupils are returning to school later on the same day, you will sign in again at student services.
Under no circumstances should you leave the school or go home without permission.
Community Football Club
SportInspired, in partnership with the Centre of Excellence, are running two community sports clubs free of charge in Grahame Park!
On Friday evenings, from 5 pm-6.30pm, at Saracen's High School, Sportinspired are hosting female-only Basketball and Football sessions. All skill levels and age groups are welcome to join the community club run by qualified female coaches. This is a fun, friendly and non-competitive opportunity for local women and girls to engage in sport.
Following the girls' club, they also offer a free boy's football club from 6.30-8pm on Saracen's astroturf led by qualified football coaches, again open to all ages and ability levels for a non-competitive opportunity to play sport.
If you have any questions about the clubs please call 07554795706. If you want more information about SportInspired or Centre of Excellence, visit the links below.
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
A - level Results
St. James' Catholic High School, in Colindale, is delighted to announce the outstanding Post-16 results achieved by its students this academic year 2022-2023. These results stand as a testament to the dedication and concerted efforts exhibited by the students, who have gone above and beyond to attain remarkable outcomes.
Throughout the academic year, St. James' students have worked extremely hard, supported and guided by a group of experienced and dedicated teachers. Their efforts have truly paid off, culminating in outstanding achievements that reflect their determination to succeed.
“I’m really pleased with our results, our top grades at A Level match those achieved last year, which were our best ever. This is despite the reported reduction in the number of top grades awarded nationally this year.
Our vocational results have continued to improve and again are the best achieved historically, with over half of pupils achieving the top Distinction, or Distinction*.
St James’ students secured an amazing 26.2% of A*- A grades, 56.7% of A*- B grades, 86.6% of A*- C grades, and 98.8% of A*- E grades. St James’ Sixth Form has achieved remarkable results, well done to all the students and staff. Consequently, 25% of students from St James’ have secured their places at Russell Group universities, including one pupil choosing Cambridge University. Congratulations to all the students at St James’ for achieving these outstanding results.” – Mr Ellul
Head of Sixth Form, Mr Alex Aldridge ~ “What a year it has been! We are so proud of all our pupils who have completed their Post-16 study at St James’. All have worked so hard to live out our school mission statement and have truly been a symbol of living their life to the full. These results are a testament to their hard work and dedication. We wish all our pupils the very best in their next stage of education, work and life. They know that there will always be a place for them to come back to, as they are as much a part of our community now, as they were when they joined us. Lastly, to all our pupils who have left us this year, please take heed of this quote from Mother Theresa of Calcutta: “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” God Bless you all.”
GCSE Results
Despite it being the case (and widely reported in the media) that results nationally have been revised down from last year, to continue the process of bringing results back in line with pre-pandemic levels, we are delighted to report that results at St James' have improved from those achieved in 2022.
For a cohort that has missed over half of an academic year of in-school teaching due to Covid, this is a fantastic effort and is a testament to both our pupils' hard work and also the expertise and dedication of our outstanding staff.
Headline data will be published on our school website once we know, but we can report the following:
Pupils' Average Grade - Up on 2022 and now over 5
Pupils Achieving a 5+ in English and Maths - Up on 2022 and above 50%
Pupils results above national at all measures
Head of Year 11, Mr John Knibb, said “It’s been an absolute pleasure and honour to see our Year 11 students develop not only academically, but also into respectable young adults. We hope to see many of them return to our Sixth Form and pursue something that they have great passion for. Regardless, whichever path you take after your GCSEs, St James’ will always be here as a helping hand and a stepping stone to your favoured endeavours.”
“We are delighted that all of the hard work our Year 11 pupils put into their studies has paid off. We are so proud of them and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve with us in our Sixth Form.” ~ Sara Magee, Senior Assistant Headteacher
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
It was great to see all the parents and careers that came to our Open Evening! Thank you to all the staff and students who made the event possible.
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
Barnet Deanery Mass
On Thursday 21st September, Bishop John Sherrington came to St James' to celebrate a Deanery Mass for the beginning of the new academic year. The mass was enjoyed by headteachers, staff, priests, deacons and sisters from the Catholic schools and parishes in the Deanery of Barnet.
It was the feast of St Matthew and the readings reminded everyone of their need to bear with each other "charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience", something Bishop John noted could certainly be a challenge when working in schools! He talked about the importance of preserving peace and taking time for ourselves to be quiet and reflective so that we can be united and most effective in our work with the young people and families that we serve.
Following the Mass, there was an opportunity to enjoy refreshments together, chat and catch up with others involved in the mission and work of teaching and educating the young people of Barnet.
The celebration was enhanced by the St James school choir and supported by some fantastic volunteer students who served at the altar and chaperoned and shepherded guests. The catering team provided a wonderful selection of refreshments. It was a lovely occasion and a great example of the St James community working together in service.
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
Poet Visit
To celebrate National Poetry Day we were joined for the day by distinguished poet, Ash Dickinson.
Ash Dickinson has been a professional poet since 2008. He is a multiple slam champion in Edinburgh, Cheltenham and the Museum of Scotland and on BBC Radio. He has performed in Australia, Canada, the USA, Spain, Jordan, the Czech Republic and Germany, and headlined shows and festivals throughout the UK.
During the day, he hosted workshops with all year groups which inspired and motivated our pupils to write their own poems and provided them with a new perspective on approaching poetry.
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
Jacqueline Ashley is our new Careers Adviser and is based in the office opposite the staff room.
She is available on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 10:15 - and 2:15. Come and book an appointment or drop in during your lunch break.
Services include:
- Careers guidance
- Help with applying to university
- Information on Apprenticeships
- How to write CVs and fill in application forms
- College courses
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
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'I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL' JOHN 10:10
Contact Us
Email: admin@st-james.barnet.sch.uk
Website: www.st-james.barnet.sch.uk
Location: Great Strand, Colindale NW9 5PE
Phone: 020 8358 2800